Vitamin D Controversy

Vitamin D is more similar to a hormone than a vitamin and its impact is widespread in your body. Not only does it perform the more familiar roles of bone metabolism, immune balance, and muscle function, but it might also play a role in treating diabetes and preventing cancer. Deficiencies of this important nutrient have far-reaching health consequences.

How much should you take?

Vitamin D is a hot topic in nutritional medicine during the cold and flu season. Many regulatory bodies recommend daily doses of only 400 to 800IU, while many popular medical practitioners insist that 10,000IU daily is safe and most effective for prevention. What amount is right for you? Talk to your naturopathic doctor. Appropriate doses depend on your blood levels and state of overall health. Medical research does not support the daily use of 10,000IU. A safe daily vitamin D dose for most people is between 1000 and 2000IU, taken with meals.

There’s more you can do!

Your liver metabolizes vitamin D with the same mechanisms it uses to detoxify many drugs and environmental toxins. Keeping these processes in top shape with regular detoxification and a clean diet will improve how your body activates and uses vitamin D.

Inflammation uses up a lot of vitamin D and can make interpretation of your vitamin D blood tests challenging. Chronic illness, including diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, and skin diseases are all signs of inflammation. Nearly all forms of integrative medicine have the potential to reduce body inflammation.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and should be taken with other fats. If you have any difficulty eating fatty foods, or if you’ve had gallbladder problems, consider using an emulsified (liquid) vitamin D that’s more easily absorbed.